Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 2026

BlockMind is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application.

Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information:

• Account Information: When you create an account, we collect your email address, display name, and optional profile photo. You may also use BlockMind in Guest Mode without creating an account — in this case, all data is stored locally on your device and nothing is sent to our servers.
• Recovery Data: We collect information about your streak progress, reset history, trigger selections, and commitment statements ("My Why") to provide personalized insights and track your recovery journey.
• Screen Time Data: If you grant permission, we collect summarized screen time and app usage data through Apple's DeviceActivity framework to display usage reports and enforce usage limits you set. This data is processed on your device and only aggregated summaries are stored.
• App Blocking Preferences: We store your app blocking configuration, including which apps you choose to block, your blocking schedule (hours and days), and whether Strict Mode is enabled. This information is synced to our servers to enable features like friend visibility and remote blocking.
• Friends & Accountability Data: If you use the Friends feature, we collect and share limited profile information with your approved friends, including your display name, streak status, app blocking status (enabled/schedule), Strict Mode status, and encouragement messages you exchange.
• Community Data: If you use the Anonymous Community feature, we collect the text of posts and reactions you submit. All community posts are anonymous — no display name, profile photo, or identifying information is attached to your posts.
• Device Information: We may collect device identifiers and operating system version for app functionality and troubleshooting.
• Analytics Data: We use Firebase Analytics to collect anonymized usage data such as feature usage frequency, session duration, and crash reports to improve the app experience.
• Notification Preferences: We store your notification settings to send you streak reminders, encouragement, and accountability alerts.

How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information to:

• Provide and maintain the BlockMind service
• Track your recovery progress, streaks, and milestones
• Display personalized tips and trigger-based insights
• Enable app blocking and enforce your chosen schedule and usage limits
• Enable Strict Mode to help you maintain commitment by preventing changes to blocking settings for a chosen duration
• Facilitate the Friends and Accountability Partners feature, including sharing streak status, blocking status, and sending encouragement messages between approved friends
• Enable Remote Blocking, which allows approved friends to request app blocking on your device (requires your acceptance)
• Provide the Anonymous Community feature where users can share and support each other
• Generate screen time reports and usage insights
• Send notifications for streaks, milestones, encouragement, and accountability
• Improve our app and develop new features
• Provide customer support
• Process subscription payments through Apple

Friends & Social Features

BlockMind includes optional social accountability features. When you add a friend:

• Your approved friends can see your display name, current streak, app blocking status (including schedule hours if set), and whether Strict Mode is active.
• Friends can send you encouragement messages and request Remote Blocks on your behalf (which require your explicit acceptance before taking effect).
• You can remove friends at any time, which immediately revokes their access to your data.
• Friend invitations use unique invite codes. No contact list or phone book data is accessed.

Guest Mode

BlockMind offers a Guest Mode that allows you to use the app without creating an account. In Guest Mode:

• All data (streaks, settings, blocking preferences) is stored locally on your device only.
• No data is sent to or stored on our servers.
• Social features (Friends, Community) are not available in Guest Mode.
• If you uninstall the app, all Guest Mode data is permanently lost.

Anonymous Community

BlockMind includes an optional anonymous community feature where users can share posts and support each other:

• All community posts are fully anonymous. No username, display name, or profile information is attached to your posts.
• Posts and reactions are stored on our servers but cannot be traced back to your account by other users.
• You can delete your own posts at any time.
• Community content is moderated to maintain a supportive environment.

App Blocking & Screen Time

BlockMind uses Apple's Screen Time, Family Controls, and Managed Settings frameworks to block apps and content at the system level. Key points:

• All content filtering and app blocking operates entirely on your device using Apple's built-in frameworks.
• We do not monitor, log, or store your browsing activity or the specific content you view.
• Your app selection (which apps to block) is stored locally on your device using Apple's opaque FamilyActivitySelection tokens. We cannot see which specific apps you selected.
• Screen time usage reports are generated on-device through Apple's DeviceActivity framework. Only aggregated usage summaries may be stored.
• Usage Limits you set are enforced locally on your device.

Data Storage and Security

Your data is stored securely using Firebase, a Google Cloud service. All data is encrypted in transit using TLS and at rest on Firebase servers. We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information.

Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services:

• Firebase (Google): For authentication, database (Firestore), and Firebase Analytics (anonymized usage and crash data)
• Apple App Store: For subscription processing and payments
• Apple Screen Time / Family Controls: For on-device app blocking and usage reporting

These services have their own privacy policies governing the use of your information.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you services. You can request deletion of your account and associated data at any time through the app settings. Upon account deletion, all your data — including streaks, friends, blocking preferences, and usage data — is permanently removed from our servers.

Children's Privacy

BlockMind is not intended for use by children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Correct inaccurate data
• Delete your account and all associated data
• Export your data
• Remove friends and revoke their access to your information
• Disable app blocking and usage tracking at any time (unless Strict Mode is active, which you voluntarily enabled for a set duration)
• Opt out of notifications

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, email us at blockmindsupport@icloud.com.